Just as reports claim that Rangers are closing in on a deal for Croatian international striker Antonio Colak, reports coming out of Europe claim the Gers also have an eye on Thijs Dallinga.
A few weeks ago we were musing over the potential of Rangers signing the 21-year-old striker and manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst raiding his homeland.
After all, Dallinga had helped fire current side Excelsior to Eredivisie promotion after an explosive 36-goal season in the Dutch second tier.
Given Rangers’ coaching connection with the Netherlands, it’s safe to assume the Ibrox side and their management team would be well aware of such a prolific striking talent.
But until now there has been no official link and the reports come at an interesting time with news gathering apace around a deal for 28-year-old Antonio Colak.
French outlet Foot sur 7 name Rangers as one of three interested parties in Thijs Dallinga alongside Ligue 1 Lorient and Serie B side Genoa.
They claim that competition is fierce for the young Netherlands striker, with striker hunting Rangers also interested in pursuing a deal.
Only 21, at 6ft2 the striker fits the mould of a powerful target man type in keeping with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s vision but a move potentially makes sense for all kinds of reasons.
Rangers linked to Thijs Dallinga and Antonio Colak
Thijs Dallinga is young, Dutch and has proven his goalscoring prowess at a decent level already in his young career.
Rangers’ Dutch coaching staff, and the opportunity to work with the likes of Roy Makaay, is surely an attractive proposition to the striker and we reckon he’s one worth watching, with Transfermarkt claiming his contract is set to expire in the summer 2023.
These reports come at a time when Herald and Times Sport journalist Chris Jack – a source known to be close to Rangers – claims the club is closing is closing in on Antonio Colak.
Jack is claiming that it’s expected that Rangers will reach an agreement with PAOK regarding the ex-Malmo striker – who dashed the Gers’ Champions League hopes with a deadly Ibrox double last season – with the player being valued around £2m.
Interestingly, this would only seem to plug the gap left by Cedric Itten in the squad, who moved to BSC Young Boys in a £1.5m deal earlier in the summer.
It then begs the question regarding Rangers’ forward options and whether interest in Thijs Dallinga could be recognised to simply bolster the Ibrox squad.
Or could these links have something to do with the future of Alfredo Morelos, as Rangers deny the suggestion Sevilla have launched a bid for the striker.
